After a couple of decades of centering his TV empire on New York, the home of "Law & Order" and most of its spinoffs, the veteran producer Dick Wolf has suddenly become a man of the Midwest. His new pair of shows - not an empire yet, but already at least a duchy - is set and filmed in Chicago, a part of Wolf's life the 67-year-old calls "the beginning of a very satisfying third act. " "Chicago Fire," Wolf's action- and emotion-packed look at a city firefighting squadron,...

Get ready for TV's spinoff invasion. Over half a dozen of next season's newcomers will hit the airwaves with a presold connection to proven ratings performers. From "Breaking Bad" prequel " Better Call Saul " to fresh takes on the durable "CSI" and "NCIS" franchises to CW's comicbook offshoot "The Flash" (introduced via " Arrow "), they're already among the most anticipated new shows. There's nothing new about the concept of spinoffs, but as the crowded TV landscape makes...

If "Chicago Fire" creator Dick Wolf had his way, Lady Gaga would be working on the set of the NBC firefighter drama rather than just visiting it. The pop singer has been a regular on the Chicago set due to her relationship with “Chicago Fire” star Taylor Kinney, who plays Lieutenant Kelly Severide on the show. Although she rarely discusses their relationship in the media, she did encourage her millions of Twitter followers to tune into the show when it premiered...

NBC has renewed " Law & Order: SVU " for a 16th season after some behind-the-scenes wrangling with exec producer Dick Wolf. The last surviving series from the "Law & Order" dynasty had a solid year ratings-wise, and there is renewed buzz about Emmy prospects for star Mariska Hargitay. But there were financial issues that complicated what would otherwise have been an easy renewal for a show from Universal TV. It's not immediately clear how the sides managed to come to terms...

While TNT may know drama with scripted crime shows including "Perception," "King & Maxwell" and "Law & Order" reruns , the Turner net is only now getting to know the true crime space with the launch of " Cold Justice " from producer Dick Wolf and reality stalwarts Magical Elves . Each episode of the skein follows Kelly Siegler and Yolanda McClary, seasoned former prosecutor and CSI, as they investigate an unsolved murder case....

In concept, "Sirens" could be the third leg of Dick Wolf's Chicago first-responders stool, a locally made show about paramedics to go with his series about cops ("Chicago P.D. ") and firefighters ("Chicago Fire"). Instead, it's a new comedy on USA (premiering Thursday at 9 p.m.) from Denis Leary rather than Wolf. And although it has moments that find humor in being shocking, they are often too determinedly so. There's so much locker room material here, it might as well have been about...

NBC added another comedy and two dramas, including the "Chicago Fire" spinoff, to its new series roster for the 2013-14 season. Laffer "Undateable" marks the Peacock's fifth new comedy series. "Ironside" (pictured) is a remake of the 1970s series, starring Blair Underwood as the wheelchair-bound gumshoe originally played by Raymond Burr. Ass expected, Dick Wolf is claiming another hour of NBC's sked with the pickup of "Chicago PD,"...

It might be premature to compare the “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago PD” franchise with the long-running “Law & Order” franchise, but the similarities are there. Both NBC franchises were created by legendary producer Dick Wolf. Both involve public service. Both have aired crossover episodes. And if Wolf goes ahead with the rumored Chicago medical spinoff to “Fire” and “PD,” both will have spawned multiple shows. The cast members of...

“Chicago PD” is briefly borrowing Ice-T and Kelli Giddish from “Law & Order: SVU” this week for a crossover episode and the plan is for "PD" to return the favor . Ice-T posted a photo of himself and Giddish - who play detectives Fin Tutuola and Amanda Rollins on “SVU,” respectively - on the “PD” set Monday with their co-stars. “PD” and “SVU” are both produced by Dick Wolf. According to TV Guide's interview with...

The number of film and television projects filmed in Chicago, jumped 20 percent in 2013 to 2,198 filming days, according to the Chicago Film office. City officials said it was a new record high, trumping 2012's 1,808 days. The filming hours include six simultaneous full-time TV series, three studio features shot back-to-back and 137 commercials. "The most impressive growth was in episodic television," said Rich Moskal, director of the Chicago Film Office....

16.1 million Viewers of the "Lost" season premiere (above), the top audience for the ABC series since 2006. 38-30 Patriots' winning score in Super Bowl simulations on Madden NFL '08, according to gamemaker EASports. 75 Hours, per week, that you could watch "Law & Order" or its spinoffs, according to producer Dick Wolf. He tells Variety that his goal is "24/7." 36 Doors (including cabinets) from Jim Morrison's childhood home in Clearwater, Fla., to be painted and auctioned for...

There's an old Rudyard Kipling quote about Chicago I haven't heard for a while that shows up in the new NBC drama "Chicago PD," a show that looks to portray police work the old school way: tough, dirty and not without personal costs. Will you see expansive recaps on this show every week? No. It's not that kind of series. Is it a touch overheated at times? Yes. But it hits the spot. But first, that Kipling line. Having married an American, Kipling spent some time on these shores...

See Jane run. Run, Jane, Run. Run far away from "Tarzan." Sarah Wayne Callies, who first had to deal with having her character's name stripped from the title of the WB's "Tarzan" and then with the show's swift demise, has landed the lead in a new ABC drama. The Hawaiian-born Callies will topline ABC's "The Secret Service," playing a woman balancing her personal life and marriage with her duties as a Secret Service agent. Any similarities to "Alias" probably aren't entirely...

After a couple of decades of centering his TV empire on New York, the home of "Law & Order" and most of its spinoffs, the veteran producer Dick Wolf has suddenly become a man of the Midwest. His new pair of shows - not an empire yet, but already at least a duchy - is set and filmed in Chicago, a part of Wolf's life the 67-year-old calls "the beginning of a very satisfying third act. " "Chicago Fire," Wolf's action- and emotion-packed look at a city firefighting squadron,...

QUESTIONS: 1) Off camera, actor Fred Thompson, who joins "Law & Order" as District Attorney Arthur Branch this week, is the U.S. senator representing what state? 2) What two veteran actors previously played the "L&O" district attorney during the show's run? 3) What actor played Assistant District Attorney Ben Stone for four seasons before leaving because of a bitter dispute with executive producer Dick Wolf? 4) Which character on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"...

“Chicago PD” is briefly borrowing Ice-T and Kelli Giddish from “Law & Order: SVU” this week for a crossover episode and the plan is for "PD" to return the favor . Ice-T posted a photo of himself and Giddish - who play detectives Fin Tutuola and Amanda Rollins on “SVU,” respectively - on the “PD” set Monday with their co-stars. “PD” and “SVU” are both produced by Dick Wolf. According to TV Guide's interview with...

By Personals was compiled by Alan Leo from Tribune news services and staff reports | June 3, 2007

Jeremy Sisto is joining the police force on "Law & Order" next season. Sisto, who starred on "Kidnapped" last season, will return to NBC as a detective on "Law & Order," said Dick Wolf, the series' executive producer. The crime drama will begin its 18th year when it returns in midseason. Sisto is expected to replace Milena Govich, who played Detective Nina Cassady. James Cameron, whose ship came in when he won three Oscars for producing, directing and editing "Titanic," has put his 730 acres of Malibu, Calif.

If "Chicago Fire" creator Dick Wolf had his way, Lady Gaga would be working on the set of the NBC firefighter drama rather than just visiting it. The pop singer has been a regular on the Chicago set due to her relationship with “Chicago Fire” star Taylor Kinney, who plays Lieutenant Kelly Severide on the show. Although she rarely discusses their relationship in the media, she did encourage her millions of Twitter followers to tune into the show when it premiered...

Dick Wolf, the executive producer of "Law & Order," complained to reporters Thursday about the 8 p.m. Sunday slot his newest "Law & Order" spin-off, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," has been given by NBC. The complaint echoes similar grumbling Wolf had two years ago when "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" was scheduled for 8 p.m. Monday. That show has since moved to 9 p.m. Friday. Asked during the Television Critics Association meeting in Pasadena, Calif., why he always grumbles about the time slots his shows...

With the new TV season upon us, let's step back and look at the new shows based out of Chicago (an unprecedented six TV series are here this fall), plus shows filming elsewhere that feature Chicago actors. First, what's shooting in town: NBC The network has three series here. "Chicago Fire" returns next week at 9 p.m. on a new night (Tuesdays). The show has spawned a spin-off called "Chicago PD" - from the same creators, including Dick Wolf, Derek Haas and Michael...